Gun lock-out system

Abstract

An audio controlled firearm locking system for locking a firearm while screaming is occurring proximate to the firearm includes a locking module and an electronics module, which are mountable to the firearm. The locking module is selectively engageable to at least one movable element of the firearm, movement of which is required to discharge the firearm, thereby allowing the locking module to selectively lock the firearm. The electronics module comprises a battery, a microprocessor, and a microphone. The microprocessor is operationally engaged to the locking module, the battery, and the microphone, which detects audio signals proximate to the firearm and relay the audio signals to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is programmed to analyze the audio signals for an indication of a screaming event. When a screaming event is indicated, the microprocessor actuates the locking module to prevent discharge of the firearm.

I claim: 
     
       1. Audio controlled firearm locking system comprising:
 a locking module being mountable to a firearm and being selectively engageable to at least one movable element of the firearm, wherein a movement of the movable element is required for discharging the firearm such that the locking module is configured to selectively lock the firearm; and 
 an electronics module being mountable to the firearm, the electronics module comprising:
 a battery; 
 a microprocessor operationally engaged to the locking module and the battery; 
 a microphone operationally engaged to the microprocessor for detecting audio signals proximate to the firearm and relaying the audio signals to the microprocessor; and 
 the microprocessor being programmed to analyze the audio signals for an indication of a screaming event, the microprocessor actuating the locking module to prevent discharge of the firearm when the screaming event is indicated. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The controlled firearm locking system of  claim 1 , wherein the indication of the screaming event by the microprocessor is based upon the microprocessor receiving an audio signal lacking phonological structure, having a frequency of at least 175 Hz, and a volume of least 80 dB. 
     
     
       3. The controlled firearm locking system of  claim 1 , wherein the indication of the screaming event by the microprocessor is based upon the microprocessor receiving an audio signal lacking phonological structure, having a frequency of at least 200 Hz, and a volume of least 90 dB. 
     
     
       4. The controlled firearm locking system of  claim 1 , wherein the microprocessor is programmed actuate the locking module when the screaming event has a continuous a duration of a predetermined amount of time. 
     
     
       5. The controlled firearm locking system of  claim 4 , wherein the duration of the predetermined amount of time is at least 3.0 seconds. 
     
     
       6. The controlled firearm locking system of  claim 4 , wherein the duration of the predetermined amount of time is at least 5.0 seconds. 
     
     
       7. The controlled firearm locking system of  claim 4 , wherein the microprocessor is programmed to deactuate the locking module after a predetermined interval. 
     
     
       8. The controlled firearm locking system of  claim 1 , wherein the locking module and the electronics module are integral to the firearm or to a magazine, the magazine being insertable into the firearm. 
     
     
       9. The controlled firearm locking system of  claim 8 , wherein the locking module is configured to lock the firearm by selective engagement of the locking module to one or more of:
 an action, a firing mechanism, a trigger, a firing pin block, and a safety of the firearm; 
 a spring and a follower of the magazine; and 
 ammunition loaded in the magazine. 
 
     
     
       10. The controlled firearm locking system of  claim 9 , wherein the locking module comprises:
 a motor attached to the magazine below the follower of the magazine, such that a shaft of the motor extends toward an upper end of the magazine, the motor being operationally engaged to the electronics module; 
 a linkage attached to and extending bidirectionally from the shaft of the motor; 
 a pair of rods attached singly to and extending from opposed ends of the linkage, the rods of the pair of rods bracketing the spring of the magazine and being rotationally attached to the upper end of the magazine; and 
 a plurality of pins attached to and extending from the pair of rods, such that, upon actuation of the locking module by the microprocessor, the rods of the pair of rods rotate and the pins of the plurality of pins are inserted between one or both of coils of the spring and rounds of ammunition in the magazine, thereby preventing the spring from advancing the follower, whereupon the magazine is prevented from feeding the ammunition to the firearm. 
 
     
     
       11. The controlled firearm locking system of  claim 9 , wherein the locking module comprises:
 an actuator being attached to the firearm proximate to a hammer of the firing mechanism; and 
 a hook being attached to a cylinder of the actuator, such that, upon actuation of the locking module by the microprocessor, the cylinder rotates the hook into a notch in the hammer, such that the hammer is prevented from striking a round of ammunition in a chamber of the firearm, whereupon discharging of the firearm is prevented. 
 
     
     
       12. A method of locking a firearm comprising the steps of:
 a screaming event occurring in proximity to a firearm; 
 capturing of the screaming event by an electronics module mounted in the firearm; and 
 actuating a locking module electrically coupled to the electronics module and operationally engaged to at least one movable element of the firearm, wherein actuation of the locking module prevents discharging of the firearm.